SPRINGFIELD -- The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate another school threat Thursday.

A 16-year-old Effingham County High School student reported to administration that he had received a threat on Snapchat. The school was placed on lockdown and deputies and investigators were called to investigate.

The student's story proved to be totally false. During the lockdown, however, another student came forward and showed administratiors a different Snapchat conversation that actually contained a threat, thinking it was the reason the school was on lockdown. 

That threat was traced back to 19-year-old Noah Gordon. When interviewed, he stated that he was just kidding but admitted to sending the threat. 

Both boys were arrested and charged with disrupting a public school and transmitting a false public alarm. The juvenile is also charged with false report of a crime.

 Gordon has an additional charge of terroristic threats. 

Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie wants to send a strong message to the youth of Effingham County. He said his office's job is to keep them safe and urged them to stop these outlandish threats. 

When copycats report fake threats or send threats from a fake social media account, they cause a ripple effect in the county. Every available deputy and the sheriff respond to the school to make sure the students are safe. School is disrupted and other students are frightened. 

During a lockdown, a school is the safest place in the county. Nobody is allowed in or out until the school is deemed safe. 

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office investigates every threat and takes each and every one of them seriously, the sheriff said.

 If you have information on an incident and wish to remain anonymous, text your tip to 847411 or download the app on your iphone or Android device. Tip 411 is also available on www.effinghamsheriff.org as well as the Effingham County School District websites.